Dual Diagnosis and Rapid Detox

Dual diagnosis and Rapid Detox

What to Know About Dual Diagnosis and Rapid Detox

How many times in your life have you thought, “If only I could just fast-forward through the next few days…”? Most of us have had this thought when we’re expecting a few long, stressful days. Maybe your job can be emotionally taxing or you have unpleasant family visiting from out of town. It would just be so much easier if you didn’t have to cope with that stress.

However, a person suffering from addiction who has made the choice to come off drugs may experience another level of fear and anxiety.

Withdrawal from opiates is a painful and sometimes dangerous process if done without adequate medical supervision. Symptoms of opioid withdrawal can include muscle aches, restlessness, insomnia, vomiting, abdominal cramping, and more.

Opiate withdrawal symptoms of drugs that are hydrocodone-based or heroin, tend to peak 72 hours after your last use. While symptoms may begin to decrease after this time, they can linger for a month or more. The type of drug used and a person’s physical health predict the overall length and severity of symptoms.

For over 25 years, people from all over the world have chosen Waismann Method as their opioid detox provider.

We know the challenges you face and the importance of creating a unique and personal experience for you right from the start.
Call for Detox Options 1-800-423-2482

A person with opioid addiction has finally made the brave decision to start anew without opioids. It’s likely they wish to get through detox as quickly, safely and comfortably as possible. Therefore many people choose rapid detox as their preferred option for opioid treatment.

Unfortunately, most rapid detox programs only focus on immediate detox and do not provide recovery care. They don’t address the individual’s physiological transition or emotional state. Also, they do not assist in providing basic stability before discharge. This is especially concerning for patients with underlying physical or emotional issues.

If you or someone you love has an opioid addiction along with a physical or emotional condition, read on to learn how to approach opioid detox and recovery.

What is Dual Diagnosis?

People with a dual diagnosis have both substance use and a psychological disorder.

Some of the most common disorders that occur with addiction include:

  • Bipolar disorder
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
  • Anxiety
  • Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
  • Depression
  • Panic disorder
  • Schizophrenia

There is a strong link between addiction and other mental or emotional disorders.

Often, a person has attempted to cope with symptoms of the original mental health problem for a long time. They may become tired of experiencing emotional turmoil and try to self-medicate with drugs. This often leads to an addiction that coincides with psychological issues.

In other cases, a person with no psychiatric issues begins using drugs. They may have been prescribed opiates for a medical issue or began using recreationally. Nevertheless, long-term drug use can alter the brain in a way that leads a new disorder to form.

Regardless of which disorder developed first, addiction and mental health are related. The whole individual must be treated based on their individual history, medical and emotional conditions. Addiction is a symptom and cannot be treated as a separate diagnosis. Likewise, providers must treat mental health conditions in order for a person to successfully remain opioid-free.

What is Rapid Detox?

Rapid detox is an anesthesia-assisted medical treatment that speeds up the opiate withdrawal process. While comfortably sedated by a qualified anesthesiologist, the opioids are removed from the brain receptors using IV medications. You wake up opioid-free and with a milder level of symptoms compared to traditional detox.

Traditional detox is a slow process where opiates naturally and gradually leave your system. You typically experience the full severity and length of withdrawal symptoms. The process can take weeks and a physician may monitor your physical health.

However, Rapid detox is a much faster method. Instead of weeks,  detox is completed within a couple of hours. You can be opioid-free and back to work within a week or two.

There are many misconceptions about Rapid Detox. However, it’s best to know the facts. Check out the top five rapid detox myths.

Why Can Rapid Detox Be a Problem for Dual Diagnosis Patients?

There are two types of issues; physical dependence and addiction. Rapid detox helps with the worst part of breaking your physical dependence. However, as anyone with addiction knows, you must treat the psychological reasons that initialized the drug use in order to heal.

The best way to successfully treat addiction is to treat both the physical and the emotional conditions. A person’s physical and emotional well-being will determine their ability to remain drug-free.

This is especially crucial for dual diagnosis patients. A patient with an untreated mental or emotional disorder will likely need long-term support. If untreated or undertreated, symptoms often lead to drug use as a way to lessen the emotional pain. For this reason, a dual diagnosis patient is high-risk for relapse if they don’t receive adequate treatment.

Unfortunately, this situation is common. Based on the Surgeon General’s Report, over 40% of people with addiction have a dual diagnosis. Among these, less than half get treatment for even one of their conditions.

Any detox program or traditional rehab can neglect a dual diagnosis. Meanwhile, rapid detox is often viewed as a “quick fix.” As such, these programs often neglect the psychological aspect of a patient’s condition.

How Can You Make Rapid Detox Successful for Dual Diagnosis Patients?

Despite the potential issues, dual diagnosis patients CAN benefit from rapid detox. It needs to be part of a more thorough process, though.

At Waismann Method® we believe in providing comprehensive treatment and aftercare. Our program consists of three parts: assessment/preparation, rapid detox, and transitional care.

Detox can take a toll on your health. That’s why we start with a thorough history followed by a complete medical exam. We test the function of all your major organs including the kidneys, heart, and lungs. This exam lets us tailor your detox experience to your physical needs.

After your evaluation, we can help you identify an individualized treatment plan and begin the detox process. Unlike other rapid detox centers, our detox treatment is an inpatient procedure in a full-service hospital. You will be in a private ICU room throughout treatment and kept for observation for a total of 2 to 4 days in the hospital. At the hospital, you will always have access to medical specialists, if needed.

Our board-certified medical director uses sedation rather than general anesthesia for the detox procedure. Through medical research and advancement, he no longer has to use general anesthesia. Therefore, sedation allows for a faster and easier recovery period.

Rapid Detox Aftercare

Once you are ready to discharge from the hospital, you will be transferred to the final phase of treatment.  We have an exclusive, licensed recovery treatment center where our patients can comfortably heal. At Domus Retreat, patients usually spend 4 to 7 days with around-the-clock care before returning home. We also offer extended stays based on the medical and emotional needs of the patient.

This recovery phase is the most important part for dual diagnosis patients. During post-detox care, you’ll have access to personalized psychotherapy. Your therapist is experienced in treating addiction along with other mental and emotional conditions.

For those with dual diagnoses, supporting both the addiction and mental health symptoms is vital for success. Only specialized therapy with detox care can achieve this.

The Bottom Line: Get Care for Your Individual Needs

As with any health care, addiction condition treatment must be personalized for every patient. Every patient is unique with their own needs and goals. Dual diagnosis patients are different because their addiction is a coping mechanism for another condition.

Whether you’re looking for addiction care and detox for yourself or a loved one, it’s important to know what to search for. With a dual diagnosis, only accept treatment from a facility that can address both issues.

For more answers about rapid detox or dual diagnosis, contact us about the Waismann Method.